It just happened again in South Carolina, where Bloomberg News reports:

A special panel of three federal judges in Washington today ruled that South Carolina’s measure requiring that federal or state-issued photo ID be presented at polling stations put an unreasonable burden on minority voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The judges said the law may be used in elections held after this year.

“Given the short time left before the 2012 elections, and given the numerous steps necessary to properly implement the law — particularly the new “reasonable impediment” provision — and ensure that the law would not have discriminatory retrogressive effects on African-American voters in 2012, we do not grant pre-clearance for the 2012 elections,” U.S. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh said in the ruling.

Governor Nikki Haley was exceptionally happy about this long-term victory, declaring on her Facebook page, “South Carolina just won the Voter ID case! Lawsuit by unions….WON! Lawsuit by NLRB against Boeing….. WON! Protecting the integrity of the voting process by showing picture ID….WON! The Feds keep throwing punches but in South Carolina heels and boxing gloves prevail! This is another win for our state and country!”

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson also took the long view: “Today’s ruling by the three judge panel is a major victory for South Carolina and its election process. It affirms our voter ID law is valid and constitutional under the Voting Rights Act. The fact remains, voter ID laws do not discriminate or disenfranchise; they ensure integrity at the ballot box. This ruling also affirms South Carolina’s voter ID law should have been pre-cleared by the U.S. Justice Department. We will work diligently to implement this law for all future elections.”

So rejoice! Ballot integrity in South Carolina will be brought into the Twenty-First Century… next time.